Page 39 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

Jaxon gently took one of my wrists in his hand. His thumb brushed over the sensitive skin, the gentle touch sending soothing tingles up my arm. He lifted my wrist to his lips, placing a soft kiss where the pain had been. “Your wrists are perfect,” he murmured, his voice low and comforting.

The last tendrils of the nightmare began to fade, replaced by the warmth of Jaxon’s presence and a growing feeling of safety. I leaned into his embrace, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, allowing it to calm me.

These last few days had been nothing but terror and anxiety and the unknown. As I settled into the warmth of Jaxon’s embrace, I felt a different kind of longing. I wanted a new kind of memory, one that would get me through the dark times ahead.

I glanced over at the bed next to us. “Where’s Twyla?”

“She took another room, so we could have some privacy.”

My face heated at his words. I wanted to make Jaxon mine.

I pulled back slightly, my heart racing as I stared up into his beautiful dark eyes. The tenderness in his gaze made me bold. “Jaxon,” I whispered. “Make me forget everything except you.”

He pulled back, surprise flashing in his eyes. “What?”

My cheeks burned, but I didn’t look away. Instead, I threaded my fingers through his hair, reveling in its softness. “You said I was yours,” I reminded him in a husky voice. “Why don’t you prove it?”

Chapter

Twenty

We stared at each other intently, our gazes locked together in the dim room. The guest quarters were quiet, the silence broken only by the soft whisper of our breathing. Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing Jaxon’s skin with a soft, ethereal glow. The only sound I could hear was my heart pounding in my ears, its rhythm quick and insistent.

Jaxon gently played with my braid, his touch sending sparks across my scalp. He shifted on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. “Peyton—” His voice was low and rough.

I cocked my eyebrow saucily, a mix of anticipation and nervousness fluttering in my stomach. “What, are you going to make excuses now? You don’t want me?”

He leaned his broad body over mine, pinning me to the bed. The heat of his skin seeped through our clothes, sending a tremble down my spine. His familiar scent enveloped me. “Of course I do,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “The minute you walked into Goody Magic with Professor Easteythat first time, I knew. Every fiber in my being wanted you, and I knew no other girl would ever satisfy me. Just you.”

My breath caught in my throat, my skin hot where his body pressed against mine. I reached up, tracing the line of his jaw with trembling fingers, feeling the slight roughness of his stubble. Desire pooled in my core, my pulse roaring in my ears as I waited for his first move.

Jaxon’s gaze softened as he reached out, his calloused fingers gently grasping the end of one of my braids. He twirled it around his index finger, the slight tugging sensation sending shivers down my scalp. “Do you ever undo your braids?” he asked. His voice was low, curious.

A frown creased my brow, uncertainty fluttering in my stomach. “You don’t like them?” I asked, flustered. I could feel heat rising in my cheeks, a mix of self-consciousness and anticipation.

“I like them just fine—they’re you—but I’d also love to see you let go a little.” His words trailed away, and I watched, mesmerized, as his deft fingers began to work, slowly and gently unraveling first one braid, then the other.

As my hair came free, I felt a sense of vulnerability wash over me. Jaxon’s fingers combed through the loose strands, sending little electric shocks down my spine with each touch. The scent of my shampoo, eucalyptus and lemon, wafted up between us.

He fanned my hair around my shoulders, his fingertips grazing my skin and leaving goosebumps in their wake. To have my hair unbound felt foreign yet liberating. Jaxon’s eyes darkened as he took in the sight, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.

“I like you like this,” he murmured, his voice gravelly with admiration. “Wild and free.”

His words sent a rush of warmth through my body, settling low in my belly. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, feelmy breath quickening. As Jaxon’s hands continued to play with my hair, I leaned into his touch, craving more of the intoxicating sensations he was stirring up within me.

Jaxon bent his dark head, his eyes fluttering closed as he leaned in, his spicy masculine scent awakening something in me. His lips pressed against mine, soft yet insistent. The kiss deepened, slow and exploratory, his tongue gently seeking entrance. I yielded, a quiet moan escaping me as his taste—cinnamon and wickedly Jaxon—flooded my senses.

Time seemed to bend and stretch, the world narrowing to the points where our bodies connected. His one hand cupped the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my loose hair, while his other arm snaked around my waist, pulling me close against him. With our bodies pressed together, I could feel the warmth emanating from him like a smoldering fire, turning my blood hot. His heart beat a rapid tattoo against my chest.

When we finally parted, it was with a soft, shuddering sigh that came from both of us. My lips tingled, swollen and bruised from his kisses. I blinked up at him, my vision slightly hazy, my breath coming in quick, shallow pants.

A war raged within me. Every logical part of my brain screamed to push him away, to protect myself. Everyone’s warnings that he would break my heart echoed in my mind. But my body had other ideas. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, the pull almost physical in its intensity. The heat pooling low in my belly was a delicious ache that spread through me. He might end up hurting me, yes, but in this moment, I wanted him with every fiber of my being.

My resolve crumbled like sand. Boldness stirred me as my hands crept up his arms, reveling in the delicious feel of his muscles shifting beneath my touch. My fingers traced the strong line of his shoulders before linking behind his neck. I parted my mouth wider beneath his in silent invitation.

Jaxon didn’t hesitate. He immediately deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a sensual dance. I arched into him, allowing him to explore the warmth and wetness of my mouth. His jaw clenched, a muscle twitching at its hinge. The sudden tension in his body was unmistakable: he was like a coiled spring ready to release. His eyes, usually a warm brown, darkened to obsidian, reflecting a primal intensity that made my breath catch in my throat. The air between us crackled with electricity, charging every nerve ending in my body. My skin felt hypersensitive, every touch, every breath igniting sparks of pleasure.

His tongue traced delicate patterns in and around my mouth and lips, each swirl sending jolts of pleasure through my body. I shivered beneath him, my nerves singing with every touch. His taste was intoxicating and made my head spin with desire.

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